Never Alone

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you."

Is. 26:3

It's a guess to assume I'm not the only one who struggles to lay aside weighty thoughts and the cares of life to focus on Christ during Sunday morning worship, but I will try not to assume and speak only for myself. My thoughts and feelings can plague and severely distract me even when my sincere desire is to meditate on the One who rescues and redeems me from it all. The tape plays. Emotional tidal waves come in hard. My thoughts drift.

Here's what I'm learning again. It's not my duty to lay my troubles aside during worship, as if they don't matter or are unimportant. God is in fact the giver of my circumstances, my trials, the important work, and the people to care for; he also created me to respond with emotion to all the difficulties and joys of life. He gives it all to me, ordained it, knows it completely. So it's not my junk to hide from him or to shove aside for a short time. It is only mine to carry to him. I am to cast all my anxieties on Him because he cares for me (1 Pet. 5:7). This may be a better act of worship on such Sunday mornings, far better than mechanically moving my lips to words on the screen. He only beckons us to come wholly as we are, only trusting and obeying, and expecting his divine love and care.

I actually did sing on Sunday - with sincerity, too. In the midst of the struggle, he is far greater. May we know his eternal majesty and lovingkindness to always surpass our earthly, temporary struggles.

These lyrics were helpful in turning my attention to worship because his power and promises are mine to tangibly experience.

O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer

Strong defender of my weary heart

My sword to fight the cruel deceiver

And my shield against his hateful darts

My song when enemies surround me

My hope when tides of sorrow rise

My joy when trials are abounding

Your faithfulness, my refuge in the night

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Phil. 4:6

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matt. 11:28

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Eph. 6:13

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  Rom. 8:28

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.  Ps. 62:2

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  James 1:2-3

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  Heb. 12:3

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  Heb. 13:15

A friend mentioned an article to me tonight regarding the pastor's wife. I could have written something similar, maybe with a few slight additions, omissions, and some different nuances. This article just sort of gives a glimpse into the life I lead. Just a small glimpse. I could add humor in some shocking things people say, believe, and expect. I could also add ways in which my life is immeasurably enriched.

If you care to know your pastor's wife a bit more, have a read. 

If you are a pastor's wife, you are certainly not alone.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/10-things-woman-married-pastors-know/

Images from Joshua Tree National Park, spring bloom

They thought I was taking a picture of the small scorpion, when in actually it was their hands together that I found captivating. Jon and Michael

~Katherine